Discussions about Jarrett Allen‘s potential return for the Cavaliers have gravitated toward “if” rather than “when,” according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The team has said Allen is making progress in his recovery from a broken finger and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of him returning before the regular season ends on Sunday, but his finger was still in a splint this weekend, says Vardon.
Even if Allen is able to play soon, it’s “highly unlikely” that he’ll be 100% effective, says Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link). In Fedor’s view, Evan Mobley – who has missed four games with a sprained ankle and wasn’t walking with a limp after Sunday’s game – is a better bet to be fully effective, or at least close to it, when he returns.
Here are a few more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, who has been out since March 14 due to a high left ankle sprain, “looks really good” in his scrimmages, head coach Chris Finch said on Sunday (link via Chris Hine of The Star Tribune). The Wolves will formally reevaluate McDaniels on Monday. Finch expects him to be on a minutes limit when he returns, per Hine.
- Clippers forwards Paul George and Marcus Morris hinted after Sunday’s game that Norman Powell could be close to returning from his left foot injury, according to Mirjam Swanson of The Southern California News Group, who notes that the injured swingman took part in an on-court pregame workout. “It’ll be great for Norm if he could get back out there in the next game or two, just to get a good feel back,” Morris said.
- With the Kings officially eliminated from playoff contention, head coach Alvin Gentry acknowledged that shutting down De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis will likely be “something we’ll talk about” (Twitter link via Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee). Fox has missed Sacramento’s last eight games due to a hand injury, while Sabonis has been out for six games due to a knee issue.
In Mobley we trust. Man I wish he went to the Rockets
I truly hope the Cavs can make it into the playoffs. Making the playoffs should be the goal for this season. Being a top 3 team in the EC and advancing past the 1st round should be the 2023 goal. Being a championship contender and #1 in the EC should be the 2024 goal. Sexton should be brought back because it’s clear this team needs another dynamic scorer and what we could get with our trade assets or bring in as FA are very unlikely to bring in a scorer better than him. 20 points, a .46/38/82 and 3 assists are good numbers for a SG. Bring in a 3rd ball distributing guard with height. Levert would be fine. Rubio sounds good and would be a cheaper option and if signed, maybe they can use Levert and/or one of Cedi/Okoro to steal a late 1st round pick from San Antonio since they have 3 picks in the first? Maybe there’s a SF they might have eyes on late in the 1st round.
Kings …… time to focus on draft.
With the 6th pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The Sacramento Kings select ????
I think they take Murray. And then will trade Barnes finally.